Summary of Services

Consulting and Top Level Bespoke Training in:

Crisis and Issues

Michael Bland has developed a psychology based approach to crisis management which has been adopted by numerous organisations, tested under fire and really works

Developed plans, trained and counselled before, during and after crises for more than 100 organisations in 37 countries, including the US, most of Western Europe, Kenya, Nigeria, Kurdistan, Trinidad, China, Serbia, Israel, Russia and the UAE

‘Those who heed Michael Bland’s counsel and apply his collected wisdom will find that many perils can be identified and corrected before they needlessly put an organisation at risk.’

Norman R. Augustine, Former Chairman, Lockheed Martin Corporation

‘Michael’s course is first class and comes highly recommended. It provides expert advice and practical lessons on the do’s and don’ts involved in crisis communication. Without a shadow of a doubt, it’s the best course I’ve attended.’

James Russell, Experian

‘There is no better way to have a Board realise the impact of their actions than when Michael is in the same room reviewing and challenging their decisions working alongside the communication team.’

Ellie Wallace, Head of Corporate Communication, Goldfish Bank

‘Michael Bland is the godfather of crisis management.’

Nicky Wake, Conference Organiser

Communication Consulting and Training

A true professional trainer with a lifetime’s experience of finding the key in each individual that opens them up and helps them perform at their very best and most effective. Taught presentation and media interview skills to more than 10,000 trainees, and with a reputation for individual coaching for high level individuals, eg:

Two days teaching Western communication techniques 1-­1 to the Japanese head of one of the world’s biggest companies

Preparing a very senior churchman for a grilling by John Humphrys, a very senior police chief to appear before a select committee over a high profile issue, a major contractor to win over a select committee and a Royal to handle their first press conference and stay off a sensitive subject

‘I have used a number of media training companies over the years and Michael Bland is the best by far. His teaching goes right to the heart of the subject and he quickly gains the respect of senior executives and specialists, helping them to succeed with the media effectively and with confidence. His ability to quickly grasp both the business and technical issues at hand and to incorporate them into key “message delivery” training is second to none. I would not hesitate to recommend him.’

‘When you want an outside expert for the heavyweight stuff of projecting presence and persuading, there’s nobody better than Michael Bland.’

Tom Griffin, head of Public Affairs & Comms team, University of South Wales

‘Michael is an illuminating presenter who is able to capture the attention of his audiences and project them into the virtual world of Media Management with ease. His courses encourage participation, to the extremities of wanting to conduct role playing, to be put under the spotlight with microphones thrust in front of you….genius. His courses had such an impact on me for the positive that to this day, I use his recitals, his words of wisdom, and ultimately his processes with confidence to clients across all sectors with successes assured. A truly remarkable Gentleman, thank you enormously!’

Scott Carver, Managing Director, DisasterComUK Ltd

‘This was definitely the most effective PR training I have attended during my career. It was well ordered, constructed and provided exactly the right level of information’.

Rachel Huxford, PR Manager, The Red Arrows

Original Thinking and Intellect

Michael has lectured on crisis and communications topics at London, Henley and Cranfield Business Schools, numerous Universities, including Cambridge, Belgrade and Beijing, and was an external examiner for the Public Relations degree course at Leeds Metropolitan University

‘Not only is Michael the undisputed ‘go-to’ thinker, writer and practitioner on crisis communications, he is also one of the most engaging people working in the PR industry. I have learned a great deal from Michael over the last 15 years. From media training to public speaking he is always good value, highly entertaining and authoritative.’

Francis Thomas, former comms head of Boots, Lego & Ofqual.

‘Michael is one of the most original thinkers in PR and communications. He’s worked with the best and is one of the best known and respected PR practitioners. His observations are acute and often delivered with great humour. A delight to work with.;’

Penny Haywood Calder, PHPR

‘The feedback I’ve had from the consultants involved has been overwhelmingly positive and each and every one of them has remarked on how they now feel considerably more confident about facing journalists. (They) also said that your critique of their media proposition was enormously helpful, causing them to think both more deeply and more simply about the messages they are trying to convey about their research.’

PA Consulting

‘The programme was engaging, entertaining, stimulating, different – and you were a brilliant guide, giving us both a shape and purpose, and doing so with style and sensitivity. Thank you!…I’m really grateful to you for giving us an hour that was worthwhile, unusual, special.’

Gyles Brandreth – LBC

Background

A former Army officer and survival instructor, Reuters Manager, stockbroker and financial journalist before embarking on a PR career as corporate communications head of the Institute of Directors and Ford Motor Company Limited. Independent consultant/trainer since 1984

Other

Creator of Energy for Life stress/motivation course

Widely published author of 11 text books, two best selling humour titles and 10 short stories

Qualified complementary healer; former council member, teacher and clinic head at College of Psychic Studies